The wives of the concubines are empresses

On the day of the Beginning of Winter, many families in and outside the capital had already slept on earthen kangs.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at the account books presented by Concubine Mei - Hu Siyang, Concubine Ran - Wang Ran, and Concubine Wu - Zhu Wu.

Minister of Revenue Mu Qinghai and Minister of Works Lin Chenghao asked for an audience outside the Imperial Study.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Wanjun looked up.

"Xuan."

Su Yude bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Not long after, two ministers came over.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

"No gift."

Two men came up with several account books.

"Your Majesty, these are the first installments of the account books for each city. Please review them."

"Your Majesty, this is the first photo album of the countryside. Please take a look."

Liu Cheng and Minglan each stepped forward holding the account book and placed it in front of Shangguan Wanjun.

Liu Cheng said, "Your Majesty, everything is here."

"Please take a seat, my Lords."

Time passed quietly, and the only sound in the imperial study was the rustling of Shangguan Wanjun checking the account books.

"This registration is quite thorough and well done. Xiao Liuzi, take ten taels of silver to the Minister of Revenue."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

When the Minister of Revenue Mu Qinghai heard this, he was in a very good mood.

He discovered a problem. The emperor also liked to reward people who did good things.

Minister of Works Lin Chenghao looked at Minister of Revenue Mu Qinghai with envy. Mu Qinghai was pretty good. He deserved both praise and reward.

He looked at the emperor expectantly. The account book that Shangguan Wanjun was carefully examining at this moment was exactly that of their Ministry of Works.

"These are also good, Minglan, give them as a reward."

Minglan bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Minister of Works Lin Chenghao expressed his gratitude joyfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Being recognized and rewarded with money will make me more motivated.

The two ministers left the palace with the emperor's praise and reward money. When they reached the fork in the road, they rarely greeted each other.

"Goodbye, Master Lin."

"Goodbye, Master Mu."

Liuli rubbed Shangguan Wanjun's head, and Shangguan Wanjun continued to deal with memorials.

With the help of Concubine Wen - Li Youwen, General Nan Shaoan and General An Yong, Shangguan Wanjun finished reviewing the last memorial.

County Magistrate Zheng Wei glanced at the comments above and couldn't hide the smile on his face.

The annotation is: The young man has the prerequisites of being sweet-mouthed and careful. If he works hard, promotion and wealth are just around the corner.

Shangguan Wanjun moved her fingers and felt her hands felt much better.

"A poor worker." No wonder most of the diligent emperors in ancient times had short lives. With such a workload every day, it was impossible for them not to die young. It was really not easy.

The three concubines listened to the emperor's sigh and showed distressed expressions.

"It's still early, please accompany me for a walk and some exercise."

Political affairs are important, and her health is also important. She doesn't want to be a short-lived emperor.

At the beginning of winter, it is even colder outside.

"Did I forget something?" She couldn't remember.

Liu Cheng said, "Your Majesty, today is the beginning of winter."

"Beginning of Winter? Does that mean we should eat dumplings?"

"Yes."

"Then let's all go to the Queen Mother's palace to eat dumplings tonight. Tell all the palaces, including the Queen Mother's palace." As for those concubines dowagers, they would talk about it when they had time. She didn't have much time to care about the other women of the late emperor.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take my leave."

The three concubines accompanied Shangguan Wanjun all the way to Fushou Palace.

"The Emperor has arrived, Concubine Wen has arrived, Concubine Nan has arrived, and Concubine An has arrived."

"Greetings to the Emperor, to Concubine Wen, to Concubine Nan, and to Concubine An."

When the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace saw her daughter coming with the concubines, she smiled at them.

"The emperor is here."

"My sons and ministers see their mother and queen."

"Your Highness pays homage to your mother."

"No need to be polite, my son, come here quickly."

Shangguan Wanjun walked over with a smile: "Mother."

"Mother thought you wouldn't come today. I heard you were working on that earthen kang thing recently."

"Yes."

"I heard this heated earthen kang is very useful and will keep you warm even in winter, but is it true?"

"Of course it's true. I don't think too many people will die this year."

The Empress Dowager Donggong played with her daughter's hands and said, "My son is becoming more and more like a considerate emperor. It's a pity that your grandfather didn't get to see this."

Shangguan Wanjun was stunned. She rarely heard her mother talk about the emperor's grandfather.

Seeing her excited face, the Empress Dowager Donggong smiled gently.

"Your Royal Grandfather was a diligent emperor. He lived a life worthy of the empire and the people. However, your father...didn't have enough time to cultivate him, and he died from exhaustion."

Hearing her mother's words of regret, Shangguan Wanjun gently held her hand.

"You are still young, but you must pay attention to the balance between work and rest, and don't be careless." She has to remind her daughter all the time.

"I understand, mother, don't worry."

"The Empress Dowager Xigong has arrived!"

"Your mother is here."

Shangguan Wanjun and the three concubines stood up and saluted respectfully to the Queen Mother of the West Palace.

"My son has met my mother and concubine."

"Your Highness pays homage to your mother."

The Queen Mother Xigong smiled gently and said, "Stop being polite."

She personally asked her own daughter: "How long has the emperor been here?"

"In a moment, mother will come quickly."

"I was originally planning to come over, but when I heard the message you sent, I came straight over."

"I, my concubine, meet the Queen Mother."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace smiled gently and raised her hand: "Sister, please don't be polite. Please stop standing and sit down to talk."

"Yes." Everyone thanked him.

As other concubines arrived one after another, Fushou Palace became more and more lively, and the Empress Dowager Donggong was in a very good mood.

At the dining table, there was a super large round table where everyone sat crowded together.

"Today is the beginning of winter, everyone should eat more dumplings."

Everyone nodded: "Yes, mother."

The Queen Mother of the West Palace handed the Queen Mother of the East Palace a steamed dumpling and said, "Sister, please try this."

"Okay, you eat too."

The imperial kitchen also sent steamed dumplings to Qu Lao's Shiyaxuan, Leng Shuxiang's Xiangxuan Pavilion, and the Imperial Hospital.

Mr. Qu dipped the steamed dumplings in sauce and drank fine wine, looking very happy.

Bao Zhian saw how happy he was eating and said with a smile, "Mr. Qu, you have a really good appetite."

The two plates of steamed dumplings with meat filling brought from the imperial kitchen went into Old Qu's stomach.

"Haha, these dumplings go really well with wine. Would you like to have a bite?"

Bao Zhian was unsure: "Is it okay?"

"Why not? Come and have a drink."

After Bao Zhian finished drinking, his throat was so spicy that it almost smoked.

"Haha, you've never drunk alcohol, kid."

Bao Zhian smiled shyly: "I have never drunk it."

Leng Shuxiang didn't expect that the imperial kitchen would still think of her, and she was very touched.

Youyou served her meal: "The emperor has already given the order, and the imperial kitchen always delivers it on time."

Leng Shuxiang was deeply moved when she thought about what the emperor had done.

If it weren't for the emperor, she would still be in the Yuan family, Zhiqiu would not have been buried with honor, and she would not have successfully escaped from the cannibalistic Yuan family.

Thinking of the time when she was holding the deed with the family tree crossed out, Leng Shuxiang was so excited and moved that she cried.

From then on, she finally left that home and all those people who were eyeing her and her son covetously.

For the rest of her life, she will raise her children well and repay the emperor's great kindness.

As she touched her son, her heart became more determined. The emperor was her greatest supporter.

Under the heavens, the most powerful and influential person is the ruler of a country.